Chivas may be taking a cut from Galaxy

Is Chivas USA prepared to take a leaf out of its archrival’s recipe for stability and success by dangling its vacant head coaching job in front of Los Angeles Galaxy assistant coach Curt Onalfo?

The Galaxy confirmed this weekend that the Goats had done just that — although ­Chivas USA declined comment — capping a vigorous weekend of trade rumors and denials as the MLS offseason meat market heats up:

• Ungrateful Sounders forward Eddie Johnson is reportedly done in Seattle after complaining publicly about his salary at the club that resurrected his career and could land at D.C. United, Chivas USA or the Galaxy.

• In response to media reports last week, Landon Donovan told fans at a club open house that he has no intention of quitting the Galaxy and heading to Mexico.

• Florida International University officials said Friday that former Galaxy Academy coach Kenny Arena — son of Galaxy coach Bruce — had quit the school after two largely unsuccessful seasons to rejoin the club.

Still, it wouldn’t be surprising that Arena senior had lined up junior to replace Onalfo, should the latter receive the assurances he was seeking that Chivas USA is prepared to make the requesite investment necessary to compete in MLS.

And, of course, since actions are louder than words it appears Chivas USA is finally beginning to show credible signs of taking MLS seriously with last week’s signing of Seattle midfielder Mauro Rosales. The Argentine has been one of the most consistent and dangerous attacking players in MLS in recent years.

So if Onalfo — who speaks fluent Spanish, but had two largely spotty MLS coaching stints at D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City — can be persuaded to jump to a club that has had four head coaches in the last two years it would make sense that Arena has a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.

Arena, who appears intent upon building a dynasty in his own image at the Galaxy, has stocked the club with familiar former players he once coached, extending and further inculcating his coaching philosophy throughout the franchise. Indeed, space reasons preclude a complete listing of all those coaches, but names familiar to MLS fans include the likes of Technical Director Jovan Kirovski, Academy Director Pete Vagenas and Goalkeeper Coach Matt Reis.

Reis, who joined the Galaxy from the New England Revolution last week, just hours after announcing his MLS retirement, replaces Ian Feur on the Galaxy coaching staff.

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Feur was one of the few remaining coaches who pre-dated Bruce Arena at the club and appears to have paid the price for the Galaxy’s inconsistent season between the posts.

Reis, who played four years with the Galaxy and was brought into the national team by Arena, is a known quantity to his new boss and appears to fit the profile of trusted lieutenant.

And it’s a move that fits the needs of Reis and his family on and off the field.

The UCLA product grew up in Mission Viejo, his wife is from Torrance and the couple will move nearer Reis’ father-in-law, who was seriously injured in the terrorist bombing at the Boston Marathon and lives in the South Bay.

“It’s amazing how things tend to work out and out of all the options we had this one made the most sense,” Reis said. “(Bruce) sees the value of the guys who have been in MLS and done well.”

And now, finally, just maybe Chivas USA, does, too.

For more soccer news, read the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer.